San Mateo shuts out Cypress, 3-0, in final game of day one of 3C2A State Championship

WALNUT, CA — The College of San Mateo made the most of the least with three runs on four hits to defeat Cypress, 3-0, in the final game on day one of the 3C2A Softball State Championships at Mt. SAC Thursday. 

San Mateo (38-7) pitcher Lia Evans (11-0) remained undefeated this season, with a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out five. Evans allowed just two base runners through the first three innings and was aided by a pair of double plays by the Bulldogs' defense.

Postgame with @csm_bulldogs pitcher Lia Evans, shutout with 5Ks pic.twitter.com/MXegCspn4g

— 3CFCA (@3CFCA) May 19, 2023

San Mateo will play Palomar, which defeated Folsom Lake, 4-1, Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. SAC. Cypress will play an elimination game against Folsom Lake at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Citrus College.

The Bulldogs scored the first run of the game in the second inning, which turned out to be all they needed, as first baseman Tori Cortez reached first on an error and advanced to third when Hailey Meisenbac got on base on a throwing error.

Cortez scored when Leila Velasquez hit a hard grounder back to the pitcher and slid home beating the tag for the early 1-0 advantage.

Cypress (38-7) had a chance to tie the game in the fourth inning when shortstop Jaylene Duarte doubled in the top half of the fourth, but she was thrown out on the next play on a comebacker to Evans who threw to third baseman Isabella Cowne for the out. 

San Mateo scored two additional runs in the fourth inning, the first came on a single up the middle by second baseman Vanessa Lang the scored Isabella Cowne. The second run came on a ball four wild pitch to Lafulafu Malepeai, which sent shortstop Velasquez racing home from third. Velasquez had one of three Bulldog singles in the inning.

San Mateo kept the Chargers out of scoring position in the last three innings of the game.

John M. Sherrard (3C2A) 

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